Totalitarianism In Nazi Germany

Totalitarianism is a political system in which the state centralises and dictates over the society and seeks to control all aspects of the public. Totalitarianism in Germany officially begun after Adolf Hitler, was elected as Chancellor of Germany on 30th January, 1933. During the 1930s, Germany suffered economic depression, widespread unemployment and political strife verged to civil war which lead to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi Party. After 1933, Hitler introduced four major methods that would transform Germany into a totalitarian state. The four major methods are Police terror, Indoctrination, Propaganda/Censorship and Religious ethnic persecution. During the 1930s, life was considered terrible for many

Hitler was not only a phenomenal public speaker, but also a very educated man. He used the power of speech to effectively brainwash many of his soldiers into believing that what they were doing was good. Soldiers would follow out his orders and murder millions of people. Dr Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda greatly followed Hitler’s orders and set up the Reich Chamber of Commerce in 1933. Goebbels main priority was to ensure that the Nazi message was successfully communicated through art, radios, books, theatres and films, in the most persuasive manner. Propaganda was highly effective and influential, a fundamental factor to the Nazis gaining control over Germany. An example of propaganda is evident below. The message the artist wishes to communicate to the German population was that Hitler was a figure of idolize and that there was great pride in German. The source depicts the words “Long live Germany” the artist wishes to show that as long as Hitler is remains as Chancellor, he will defend the country with all his might. In the background it graphically portrays a soaring eagle surrounded by rays of sunlight. The soaring eagle symbolises Holy Spirit shedding blessings upon the earth. Therefore, Hitler was a significant figure in the developing of a totalitarian state as his influential public speaking skills allowed him to become the dictator of Germany. Additionally, the art of propaganda was used by the Nazis to persuade and inform German citizens to support Hitler as everything he did was for the country, however Hitler racially despised people of different background or people with disabilities as he regarded them as